Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Look in obvious places for arrowheads. Native American migratory patterns show the search for water to be uppermost in the minds of nomadic groups, so scouring areas that border lakes, rivers, streams and tributaries is a great place to start. In particular, projectiles of land extending into bodies of water were popular camping sites, as clear sight lines enabled group members to spot approaching enemies immediately.
Explore bluffs, embankments and mesas that offered Native Americans protection from other tribes due to their elevations, observation benefits and difficulty reaching such campsites. Like Masada in Israel, Native Americans regularly took to the high ground to make camp, where men felt secure enough to shape and sharpen arrowheads for use once the group was ready to move on from its vantage point.
Locate routes traveled by migrating Native American tribes. Search the ground for black spots in sand and gravel, bearing telltale signs of campfires and settlement patterns. Burned mussel shells are good indicators that searching for arrowheads could prove fruitful. Don't discount caves; these enclaves protected migratory groups during winter months, giving men the time and opportunity to work on their arrowheads.
Invest a little time and money in the acquisition of topology maps, satellite images and archaeological field guides that pinpoint areas in the US that are known to be repositories of arrowheads over time. Look for sites in your own geographic region, as arrowheads can be found throughout North America, so there's no need to travel far to pursue your arrowhead search.
Join an archaeology group that's already in possession of a body of literature or maps outlining areas ripe for exploration. Joining a group will introduce you to like-minded arrowhead collectors, so you'll have fun while you search. Inquire into club rules before you join. Some arrowhead clubs have bylaws that state that relics found while searching with the club belong to the organization.
Improve your chances of finding arrowheads by searching after a rain, when topsoil migrates to reveal artifacts buried beneath the surface. In particular, search areas listed in this article after downpours and your chances of finding arrowheads will improve. That stated, remarkable finds have been unearthed in dry conditions, so don't discount regions based solely on sparse rainfall patterns.